What's your question? Ask

Blackberry Plants

Q.blackberry bushes

Zone south east virginia | frances.simpson added on June 29, 2012 | Answered

2 questions:

1. I have two bushes that are prolific with flowers and then red berries. But, the berries never get large and are bitter when they turn black.

2. These large non-fruit producing stems keep popping up. I keep cutting them back. Is this the right thing to do and why do they grow?

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
Heather
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on July 7, 2012

It sounds like your plants are getting witches broom. The disease causes those stems and also saps energy away from producing stems, which means inferior, poor tasting fruit. This article will have more information and how to control it:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/ext_files/PPFShtml/PPFS-FR-S-3.pdf

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Blackberry Plants
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK